Bulldog Fishin inshore report

The weather has seemed to let up a little. We have had to deal with a little wind, but the temperatures have been nice. The Gulf waters are holding around 60 degrees and these cooler waters still have most of the fish holding in the creeks or near springs. The trout bite continues to be on fire in these areas. They seem to be holding near structure in deeper troughs. We are catching a lot of trout over 20 inches. The best bite is on a large live shrimp under a cork. Just pop that cork every few seconds and the trout can't resist. The Rapala Twitch N' Rap in a hot olive color is my favorite artificial lure for trout and it has been catching as many fish as the shrimp. This is a great lure to use in skinny water because of its slow sink rate and fantastic action. Remember to handle trout as little as possible if you plan to release them. We are also starting to see more red fish on the move. I am seeing schools of 8 - 20 reds moving with mullet through out the entire area. Cut mullet on a 3/0 - 4/0 circle hook fished near oyster bars is a great tactic. Be sure to look for mullet jumping or creating "nervous water" as you approach your targeted area. Reds will hit a variety of artificial lures, but I prefer a Johnson gold spoon or a 4" GULP shrimp on a 1/4 ounce jig. The springs and deeper channels are still producing good numbers of black drum,sheep head, and mangrove snapper. Chum these areas with pieces of shrimp. Use a 1/0 hook with a split shot or a small 1/4 ounce jig head. Keep your line tight if there are sheepies in the area so you can feel every bump or else they steal your bait and you won't even know it. As we move into Spring, look for fish to move out of the back country and into the flats. A good indicator that this is happening is to watch the mullet. Once they move out, other species are soon to follow. Our are will also have migratory fish like mackerel and cobia moving through as the water warms. Good luck out there and tight lines!! Capt. Keith Tomlinson Bulldog Fishin Charters www.bulldogfishin.com (352)238-3581